Senior active skiers have increased oxygen-uptake capacity

Sep 21 2010

Senior active skiers have twice the oxygen-uptake capacity of seniors who do not exercise. This is shown in new research at Mid Sweden University.

"The findings show that humans have a great potential to maintain a high level of physical work capacity and thereby better quality of life even at advanced ages," says Per Tesch, professor of sports science.

A year ago Mid Sweden University and the Karolinska Institute launched a study of seniors who are still active skiers. The study attracted a great deal of attention in the media in connection with testing and experiments in östersund. Some of Sweden's skiing icons, now more than 90 years old, took part.

Now the results of the study are being presented. They show that the maximum capacity for oxygen uptake is twice as great among active senior men compared with men who do not exercise. The results for the active seniors are comparable to values for men who are 40-50 years younger but do not exercise to improve their stamina. Analyses of muscle samples at the molecular and cell level reveal a profile similar to what is found in younger men. 

"The high values for maximum oxygen-uptake capacity that we have measured have never been reported before in a population of men of advanced age," says Per Tesch.

http://www.miun.se/upload/forvaltning/INFO/Dokument/Forskning%202010/Aging%20Athletes%20Abstract-.pdf